Saint Agatha of Sicily
Saint Agatha of Sicily (born c. 231 AD in Catania, Sicily; died February 5, 251 AD in Catania, Sicily) was a Sicilian virgin martyr who was tortured and killed during the persecution of the Emperor Decius for refusing to renounce her Christian faith and her vow of virginity. She is the patron saint of breast cancer victims, nurses, and Sicily. Her feast day is February 5.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Agatha of Sicily
| Saint Agatha of Sicily | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 05 |
| Profession | Christian virgin and martyr; she refused pagan sacrifice and a forced marriage to a powerful Roman official; she was of noble Sicilian family |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Roman Rite; Eastern Catholic Churches; venerated throughout the universal church; patron of Sicily; February 5 feast; one of the saints named in the Roman Canon |
| Patronage | Breast cancer patients; nurses; breast diseases; bellfounders; bakers; jewelers; Sicily; Catania; Malta; San Marino; those facing torture or assault; victims of sexual violence |
| Attributes | A plate bearing her cut breasts; palm frond of martyrdom; tongs (instrument of torture); veil (the veil that stopped Mount Etna's eruption); crown of flowers; Catania Cathedral in the background; the volcano Etna |
| Birthplace | Catania, Sicily (Roman Empire) |
| Death Place | Catania, Sicily (Roman Empire) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; died February 5, 251 AD, in prison in Catania after prolonged torture; the traditional account records that she was arrested under the praetor Quintianus, who desired her and, when she refused his advances, handed her over to a brothel keeper named Aphrodisia; she was subsequently tortured including the cutting off of her breasts; Saint Peter appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds; she died of her wounds/in prison; an earthquake at the moment of her death terrified the crowd; she was approximately 20 years old |
| Primary Shrine | Catania Cathedral (Cattedrale di Sant'Agata), Catania, Sicily — her relics; the silver reliquary bust; the annual Festa di Sant'Agata (February 3–5, UNESCO ICH 2016); millions of pilgrims annually |
| Liturgical Class | Feast (Roman Rite); February 5; obligatory commemoration in Sicily |
| Historic Class | Double of the Second Class (February 5) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Agatha was born c. 231 AD in Catania (or, in some traditions, Palermo), Sicily, to a noble family. She consecrated her virginity to God as a young woman.
During the Decian persecution (c. 249–251 AD) she was denounced to the praetor Quintianus, who desired her. She refused his advances. He handed her to a brothel keeper to break her resolve. After a month she remained steadfast.
She was then formally tried, tortured (including mutilation of her breasts), and imprisoned. According to tradition, Saint Peter appeared to her in prison and healed her wounds. She died of her suffering on February 5, 251 AD.
In 252 AD, one year after her death, Mount Etna erupted and threatened Catania. The people carried her veil toward the lava, which stopped. This miracle established her as Catania's protector.
She is named in the Roman Canon of the Mass and has been venerated since the 4th century. The Festa di Sant'Agata in Catania (February 3–5), inscribed by UNESCO in 2016, is one of the world's great Catholic festivals.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Catania, Sicily (Roman Empire)
Death location: Catania, Sicily (Roman Empire)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Catania Cathedral — her relics; the silver reliquary bust; center of the Festa di Sant'Agata.
Feast day
February 5
Veneration
Saint Agatha of Sicily was a 3rd-century virgin martyr tortured and killed in Catania for refusing to deny her faith. Named in the Roman Canon of the Mass, she is patron of breast cancer victims and Sicily. The Festa di Sant'Agata draws millions annually (UNESCO ICH 2016). Feast February 5.
Prayers
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